Device for operating closures for windows and the like



Feb. 3, I931. A. A. TARVID ,15

DEVICE FOR OPERATING CLOSURES FOR WINDOWS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 29, 1928 Patented Feb. 3, 1931 rarer @FFWE ALEXANDER A. TARVID, OF. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS DEVICE FOR OPERATING CLOSURES FOR WINDOWS AND THE LIKE Application filed August 29, 1928. Serial No. 302,771.

This invention relates to closure operat vide an electrically operated closure structure and a novel screen construction associated therewith adapted to close an electric circuit when water is deposited on the screen and thereby cause the operation of the closure structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a plurality of suitably connected movable shutters adapted to co-operate with each other and with fixed or rigid shutters for closing an opening, and to provide electrical means operated through the medium of moisture deposited on a screen positioned adjacent said shutters for moving the shutters into co-operative relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure and closure operating means comprising a unitary structure which may be readily and conveniently positioned in a window casing or the like, and which may be readily and conveniently connected with a suitable source of electrical energy for actuating the closure operating means through the medium of moisture deposited on electrical current conductors comprising a portion of the structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure and ope-rating device therefor, electrically operated through the medium of moisture in a manner to actuate the closure instantly upon the depositing of moisture upon electrical current conductors forming a part of the present invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrical current conductor of novel construction forming a part of the circuit for operating the closure members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure operating device that will act instantaneously to close an opening in a manner to prevent the passage of water or moisture therethrough. I

An other object of the invention is'to provide a portable unitary closure structure of the character described which may be readily positioned in a window and which may, if desired, be as readily removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an electrically operated closure and novel circuit closing means therefor.

Another object oi the invention is to provide an electrically operated closure structure adapted to be readily connected to a suitable source of electrical energy and to provide novel circuit closing means associated with-said closure structure and source of energy to cause the operation of the closure when water is deposited upon said circuit closing means. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a combination window screen and closure structure adapted to be positioned in a window casing, and provided with electrically operated closure actuating means rendered effectual through the medium of moisture deposited on the screen.

A still further object of the invention is to improve devices of this character in sundry details hereinafter described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One embodiment of the invention is shown for illustrative purposes in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an inside view of a combined screen and closure device embodying features of my invention and illustrating diagrammatically an electrical circuit forming a part thereof.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional elevation taken substantially as indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary eleva tional view of the upper portion of the frame illustrating more in detail the form of screen structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of an electrical circuit illustrating the use of a transformer in the circuit when a source of electrical energy of relatively high voltage is employed and it is desired to operate the device on a reduced current.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of screen construction having a circuit, including a transformer, ap-

plied thereto.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the flexible connection provided between the shutters and shutter operating rod.

The present invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, includes an open 1 frame designated as a whole by the numeral 10, and comprising upper and lower frame members 11 and 12, respectively, and side frame members 13 and 14C.

Mounted in the frame and suitably spaced with, respect to each other are a plurality of slats or shutters 15, shown, in the present instance, as provided at their 0pposite ends, with trunnions 16 adapted to be rotatably mounted in the side frame members 13 and 14.

Suitably mounted on the inner face of the upper frame member 11, preferably adjacent the central portion thereof, is a core magnet or solenoid 17 having a vertical central opening therein adapted to receive the upper end portion of a vertically extending rod 18, the lower end of which is. slidably and vertically movable in-a socket 19 formed in the lower frame member 12.

The rod 18 may be operatively connected preferably to one edge of the shutters in any suitable manner, as for example, and as shown in the present instance, the rod is providedintermediate its end portions with a plurality of transversely disposed openings or apertures 20 adapted to receive the trans versely extending lower end portions 21 of plurality of links22 in a manner to provide pivotal connectionsbetween the links and the rod 18, the upper end portions of the links 22-,being pivotally connected to staples 23 secured preferably in one of the edgeportions of the respective shutters 15.

Mounted in the frame 10 outside of and adjacentthe shutters 15, and in a manner to substantially cover the opening formed by the frame members 11, 12, 13 and 1 1, is a wire fabric or screen designated as a whole by the reference numeral 24. This screen is of novel construction and, as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4:

inclusive, comprises a plurality of series of horizontally disposed strands 25 and 26 of electric current conducting material. The respective series of strands are insulated from each other, and the strands 25 of one of the series are connected at one of their end por tions with a vertically disposed strand or header 27 of current conducting material mounted in and insulated from the side frame member 13, and have their opposite end portions terminating short of the side frame member 14, while the strands 26 of the other series are connected at one of their end portions with a vertically disposed strand or header 28 of current conducting material mounted in and insulated from the side frame member 14L, and have their opposite end portions terminating short of the side frame member 13, the respective strands 25 of one of the series being positioned. between, or in staggered spaced relation with respect to, the strands 26 of the other of said series.

For supporting the strands 25 and 26 of the respective series in horizontal position and in spaced relation with respect to each other, a plurality of vertically or transversely disposed strands 29 of non-conducting material may be interwoven with the strands 25 and 26, ans secured at their upper and lower end portions to the upper and lower frame members 11 and 12 respectively.

For electrically and operatively connecting the vertically disposed strand or header 27 with the solenoid 17, a conductor 30 is pro vided, and for connecting the solenoid with a suitable source of electrical. energy, such, for example, as a battery 31, a conductor 32 is positioned between the solenoid and one terminal of the battery, while the other terminal of the battery is connected by means of a conductor 33 with the vertically disposed strand or header 28 mounted in the side frame member 14.

It will be observed from the foregoing description that under ordinary or normal conditions, there will be no current passing through the magnet or solenoid 17, and the rod 18 and shutters or slats 15 will occupy the positions shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, but in the event that rain water or other moisture or fluid is deposited upon the screen 24 in sufficient quantity to provide a connection between any of the strands 25 and 26 of the respective series, a circuit will be completed permitting the current from the battery 31 to instantly energize the magnet or solenoid 17, thus drawing the rod 18 upwardly and, through the link connections 22, cause the shutters 15 to be rocked about their pivotal connections in the side frame mem' bers 13 and 1a to the positions shown in dotted lines in 2, or, in other words, into co-operative relationship with each other and with a plurality of stationary slats 3 1 and mounted in the frame 10 for completely closing the opening formed by the frame members 11, 12, 13 and 14, thereby preventing any moisture which might penetrate the screen 24. from passing through the opening in the frame 10 and entering a room.

t will be observed also that the present invention provides a noveland practical combined window screen and closure device, adapted to be positioned in a window casing, and having suitable, quickly operating de vices associated therewith, whereby, in the readily connected with a house circuit as 'a source of electrical energy, and having suit able connections with the vertically disposed strands or headers 27 and 28.

If, for any reason, it is found desirable to operate the magnet or solenoid 17 on a lower voltage than that obtained from the source of electrical energy, a transformer 37 may be incorporated in the circuit as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 5 illustrates a modified form of screen construction in which the strands 25a and 26a of the respective series are continuous and terminate in free end portions, and which may be carried by the side frame members 13 and 14, and insulated therefrom by suitably coating or otherwise insulating the curved portions 380i the strands 25a and 260. where they contact or are secured in the side frame members.

()bviously, the strands 25a and 26a may be supported in horizontal spaced relation between the side frame members 13 and i l by vertically or transversely disposed strands 39 of nonconducting material extending be-.

tween the upper and lower frame members, and interwoven with the strands 25a and 26a of the respective series.

If desired, the side frame members 13 and 14 may form part of the electrical circuit and have the strands 25 and 26 of the respective series and the conductors 30 and electrically connected thereto, in which case, the side frame members 13 and 14 may be insulated from the upper and lower frame members 11 and 12 by means of blocks or pads 40 of suitable insulating material.

Obviously, the present invention is not limited to the precise construction and arrangement shown and described, as the same may be variously modified. Moreover, all the features of the invention need not be used as the same may be used in variconj ointly and sub-combiously difierent combinations nations.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1. in a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a. plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, electrically operated means for moving said shutters to close the opening in said frame, and moisture controlled means including a screen for controlling the operation of said electrical means.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination of an openv frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, and electrically operated means including an electric circuit and a fabric for actuating said shutters to close the opening in said frame, said fabric including a plurality of strands of conducting material insulated from each other and adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon the fabric.

3. In a device of the class described, the

combination of 'an open frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, and electrically operated means including a magnet, an electric circuit and a screen for actuating said shutters to close the opening in said frame said screen including a plurality of substantially parallel strands of conducting material, the alternate strands being insulated from the intermediate strands and adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon the screen.

4;. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters mombly mounted in said frame, and electricallyoperated means including an electric circuit and a screen for actuating said shutters to close the opening in said frame, said screen including a plurality of strands of conducting material insulated from each other, anda plurality of strands of non-conducting material extending substantially transversely of and interwoven with said strands of conducting material, the said strands of conducting material being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon the screen.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, and electrically operated means including a magnet, an electric circuit including a screen for actuating said shutters to close the open ing in said frame, said screen including a plurality of substantially parallel strands of conducting material, the alternate strands being insulated from the intermediate strands, conducting material extending substantially transversely of and interwoven with said strands of conducting material, the said strands of conducting material being adaptand a plurality of strands of noned to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon said screen.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, ano means for actuating said shutters to close the opening in said frame, said means including a magnet operatively related to said shutters, a source of electrical energy for operating said magnet, a screen mounted in said frame and forming part of an electric circuit, said screen comprising a series of strands of conducting material extending across the opening of said frame, the. said series being insulated from each other, transversely disposed strands of non-conducting material interwoven with the strands of said series, means for connecting said magnet with said source of energy and with one of said series, and means for connecting said source of energy with the other of said series, said series being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited on the screen in a manner to cause the said magnet to be energized to move said shutters and to close the opening in said frame.

7. In a device of the class. described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, and means for actuating said shutters to close the opening in said frame, said means including means for connecting said shutters, a magnet operatively related to said connecting means, a source of electrical energy for operating said magnet, a screen mounted in said frame and insulated therefrom, said screen comprising a series of strands of conducting material extending across the opening in said frame, the said series being insulated from each other, transversely disposed strands of non-conducting material interwoven with the strands of said series, and means for connecting the source of electrical energy with said series of strands, said series being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited on the screen in a manner to cause the said magnet to be energized to move said shutters and close the opening in said frame.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters m-ovably mounted in said frame and extending in spaced relation across the opening therein, a plurality of stationary slats extending across said opening in parallel relation with respect to said shutters, a magnet carried by said frame, means con nected to said shutters and operatively related to said magnet in a manner to move said shutters with respect to said slats and to close said opening when said magnet is energized, a source of electrical energy, and means for connecting said source of energy with said magnet including a screen mounted in said frame in a manner to cover said opening, said screen comprising a plurality of strands of conducting material, said series of strands being insulated from each other and from said frame, transversely extending strands of non-conducting material inter- Woven with the strands of said series, means for operatively connecting said source of energy with the respective series of strands and with said magnet, said series of strands being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon said screen.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters pivotally mounted in said frame, and extending in spaced relation across the opening therein, a plurality of stationary slats extending across said opening in substantially parallel relation with respect to said shutters, a magnet carried by said frame, means connected to One edge of said shutters and operatively related to said magnet in a manner to move said shutters on their pivots with respect to said slats and across said opening when said magnet is energized, a screen mounted in said frame, in a manner to cover said opening, said screen comprising a plurality of series of current conducting material, said series of strands being insulated from each other and from said frame, transversely extending strands of non-conducting material interwoven with the strands of said series, and a source of electrical energy operatively connected with the respective series of strands and with said magnet in a manner to energize said magnet when moisture is deposited upon said screen.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted in said frame, and means for actuating said shutters to close the opening in said frame, said means including means for connecting said shutters, a magnet operatively related to said connecting means, a source of electrical energy for operating said magnet, a screen mounted in said frame and insulated therefrom, said screen comprising a series of strands of conducting material extending across the opening in said frame adjacent and outside said shutters, the said series being insulated from each other, transversely disposed strands of non-conducting material interwoven with the strands of said series, and means for connect-ing the source of electrical energy with said series of strands, said series being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited on the screen in a manner to cause the said magnet to be energized. to move said shutters and close the opening in said frame.

11. A device of the class described, including an open frame, and a screen mounted therein and adapted to cover the opening in said frame, said screen comprising a plurality of series of strands of electrical current conducting material insulated from each other and from said frame, and a plurality of transversely extending strands of non-conducting material interwoven with the strands of the respective series.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a plurality of shutters movably mounted therein, an electrically operated magnet for moving said shutters, and an electrical circuit for energizing said magnet, said circuitincluding a plurality of substantially parallel strands of current conducting material, insulating material between said strands, the said strands being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited on the strands and said insulating material.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a closure device for said frame, electrically operated means for operating said closure device to a position to close the opening in said frame, and moisture controlled means including a screen for controlling the operation of said electrical means.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a device for closing the opening in said frame, and electrically operated means including an electric circuit and a fabric for actuating said closing device to a position to close the opening in said frame, said fabric including'a plurality of strands of conducting material in sulated from each other and adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon the fabric.

15. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a device adapted to be operated to a position to close said frame, and electrically operated means including a magnet, an electric circuit, and a screen for actuating said closing device to a position to close the opening in said frame, said screen including a plurality of substantially parallel strands of conducting material, the alternate strands being insulated from the intermediate strands and adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited upon the screen.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination of an open frame, a device adapted to be operated to a position to close the opening in said frame, and means for actuating said closing device, said means including a magnet, a source of electrical energy for operating said magnet, a screen mounted in said frame and forming a part of an electric circuit, said screen comprising a series of strands of conducting material extending across the opening of said frame, the said series being insulated from each other, transversely disposed strands of non-conducting material interwoven with the strands of said series, means for connecting said magnet with said source of energy and with one of the strands of said series, and means for connecting said source of energy with the other of said series of strands, said series of strands being adapted to be electrically connected by moisture deposited on the screen in a manner to cause the said magnet to be energized to operate the said closing device to close the opening in said frame.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 6th day of August, A. D. 1928.

ALEXANDER A. TARVID. 

